| Learning objectives |
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the
following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or
errors: On successful completion of the course, students should be
able to:
- Account for, at a basic level, how organizations are defined
and analyzed from a sociological perspective based on relevant
theories of organizational sociology,
- Account for the organizational structure, purpose, and
functions of organizations when analyzed through different
perspectives in organizational sociology, introduced in the course
curriculum
- Account for and discuss the implications of different models of
organization for actual organizational practices, and
- Apply the theories covered in the curriculum to empirical cases
and use them to formulate and justify relevant research questions.
in the first year project
|
| Course prerequisites |
| The courses Introduction to Organisational
Sociology, Philosophy of Science, and Introduction to research
design and quantitative Methods I have one intergrated exam. You
can only participate in Introduction to Organisational Sociology if
you also register for the other courses. |
| Examination |
The exam in the subject consists of five parts:
| Integrated
examination 2nd semester: | | Sub exam weight | 60% | | Examination form | Oral exam based on written product
In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product
must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The
grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and
the individual oral performance. | | Individual or group exam | Individual exam | | Size of written product | Max. 20 pages | | Assignment type | Project | | Duration | Written product to be submitted on specified date and
time.
20 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade,
and informing plus explaining the grade | | Preparation time | No preparation | | Grading scale | 7-step scale | | Examiner(s) | Internal examiner and external examiner | | Exam period | Summer | | Make-up exam/re-exam | Same examination form as the ordinary exam | Description of the exam
procedure
Learning objectives for the exam
The student should demonstrate ability to: - formulate, delimit and analyse an academic problem related to
the courses in the exam
- select, apply and discuss the theories and methods relevant to
the project, in particular the concepts and theories relevant to
organisational sociology,
- select and apply fundamental quantitative methods, and discuss
them in relation to theoretical positions presented in the syllabi
of the courses ’Philosophy of Science’ and ’Introduction to
Organisational Sociology’,
- discuss how the knowledge acquired in the second semester
courses ‘Philosophy of Science’, ‘Introduction to Research
Methods’, organisational sociology” and ‘Quantitative Methods I’ is
reflected throughout the project, and
- structure the layout and present the material in a clearly
formulated and accessible way in terms of both language and
content.
The aims of the 1st year project are - To facilitate and reinforce the learning of the subjects taught
during the second semester by encouraging students to work
independently and in a focused way with selected theories.
- To develop analytical skills needed to undertake
problem-oriented project work. The problem-solving process during
project work is shaped by the systematic, professional and
scientific demands of academic knowledge
production.
|
| Introduction
to Organisational Sociology: | | Sub exam weight | 10% | | Examination form | Home assignment - written product | | Individual or group exam | Individual exam | | Size of written product | Max. 5 pages | | Assignment type | Essay | | Duration | 48 hours to prepare | | Grading scale | 7-step scale | | Examiner(s) | One internal examiner | | Exam period | Summer | | Make-up exam/re-exam | Same examination form as the ordinary
exam |
| Philosophy of
Science: | | Sub exam weight | 10% | | Examination form | Home assignment - written product | | Individual or group exam | Individual exam | | Size of written product | Max. 5 pages | | Assignment type | Essay | | Duration | Written product to be submitted on specified date
and time. | | Grading scale | 7-step scale | | Examiner(s) | One internal examiner | | Exam period | Summer | | Make-up exam/re-exam | Same examination form as the ordinary
exam |
| Introduction
to Research Design and Quantitative Methods 1: | | Sub exam weight | 10% | | Examination form | Home assignment - written product | | Individual or group exam | Individual exam | | Size of written product | Max. 5 pages | | Assignment type | Essay | | Duration | 48 hours to prepare | | Grading scale | 7-step scale | | Examiner(s) | One internal examiner | | Exam period | Summer | | Make-up exam/re-exam | Same examination form as the ordinary
exam |
| Introduction
to Research Design and Quantitative Methods 2: | | Sub exam weight | 10% | | Examination form | Home assignment - written product | | Individual or group exam | Individual exam | | Size of written product | Max. 5 pages | | Assignment type | Essay | | Duration | 48 hours to prepare | | Grading scale | 7-step scale | | Examiner(s) | One internal examiner | | Exam period | Summer | | Make-up exam/re-exam | Same examination form as the ordinary
exam |
|
| Course content and structure |
|
The study of organizations is an interdisciplinary field drawing
upon disciplines such as sociology, economics, psychology,
management studies and political science. This reflects the role
organizations play in modern societies. Organizations such as trade
unions, companies, universities or public administrations permeate
all aspects of public and private life. The primary focus of this
course will be on the sociological dimension of organizational
analysis. We will examine and discuss the development, relevance
and impact of organizations. In order to do so we draw upon
classical and contemporary organizational sociology. The main
objectives of this course are therefore to first establish a basic
sociological knowledge about organizational structure, purpose and
functioning. We secondly will examine specific organizational
problematiques such as power, conflict or organizational change,
and we will investigate the ways in which organizations handle
their everyday operations by looking into management,
decision-making and leadership. Based on this knowledge and drawing
upon concrete case studies of different types of organizations, you
will thirdly acquire the skills to identify and analyze how various
types of activities are organized in the private and public
sector.
|
| Teaching methods |
| We have 10 2/3-hour sessions which will be
combinations of lectures and group discussion/case work. |
| Feedback during the teaching period |
Students will be given in-class feedback on their
group discussions/case work.
Further, the teacher(s) of the course will be available to discuss
any queries and issues arising in relation to the course as well as
first year project ideas. |
| Student workload |
| Lectures |
26 hours |
| Preparation per lecture |
2 hours |
| Exam |
48 hours |
| Preparation for exam |
40 hours |
| Independent course work |
40 hours |
|
| Further Information |
|
The course is an introduction to organizations and will provide
sociological tools for how to analyse them. As such, it relates to
the other courses in the program in such a way that it provides the
substance on which the first-year project is supposed to be based.
Students will not only engage with theories of organizations but
also analyze selected case studies of different organizations that
might assist and inspire them to generate research questions for
their own project.
|
| Expected literature |
|
The primary literature of the course consists of original
research - introducing a (classical) theory or concept. Many of
these texts can be found in the reader:
Handel, Michael J. (2002) The Sociology of Organizations.
Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
However, a compendium will also be provided.
|
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